Dad resumed cutting up his tobacco in the palm of his hand.
"Jack can't leave Herbert, Uncle," said Mary quietly, "he won't let anybody else do for him."
"Eh?" said Mr. Ellis, looking up.
"Herbert won't let me do for him," said Mary. "He'll only let Bow."
Mr. Ellis dropped his head in silence.
"In that case," he said slowly, "in that case, we must wait a bit.—Where's that darned Rackett put himself? This is his job."
There was still silence.
"Somebody had best go an', look for him," said Tom.
"Ay," said Mr. Ellis.
There was more silence. Monica, standing close to Jack, seemed to be fiercely sheltering him from this eviction. And Mary, at a distance, was like Moses' sister watching over events. It made Jack feel queer and thrilled, the girls all concentrating on him. It was as if it put power in his chest, and made a man of him.